I’ll admit writing my five favourite bands wasn’t difficult. They pretty much could write themselves and are based on how much money I have spent on each band, in both albums and gig tickets. Favourite means “would do anything to see them” in my book. These are not in any particular order.
Kings of Leon
I was running the music department for a well known record store in London when ‘Youth and Young Manhood’ came out. That Summer (2003) the song ‘Molly’s Chambers’ was my song of that Summer and I know it wasn’t until ‘Sex on Fire’ (from the album Only By The Night) was released five years later had they really made it in the UK. I wouldn’t pick a song from either of those albums, I’d pick ‘The Bucket’ from ‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’. I’ve seen them at least ten times live.
Foo Fighters
I was a big Nirvana fan growing up although I did find that grunge part of my years quite late, too late in many regards. Songs like ‘Learn to Fly’ ‘Everlong’ and ‘Best of You’ but my favourite, possibly because it’s on the soundtrack to American Pie is ‘Times Like These’. I have seen the Foos about eight times with the best being at Reading Festival this year.
Muse
Oh Muse. Oh how I love you. Again working in a music store was interesting around the time that ‘Absolution’ came out as everyone was rushing to buy this new band’s first album, it was actually their fourth (including live album ‘Hullabaloo’). My favourite Muse song is ‘Hysteria’ and they are one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen Muse live about six times.
The White Stripes
I definitely did not get to see this band live as many times as I should have. It probably slips under the five times bracket and that makes me sad. I’ve already written my favourite White Stripes songs so I’ll take a random pick from my five and go with… ‘Hotel Yorba’
Powderfinger
This Aussie band caught my ear when in a pub with friends they were playing the album. The back catalogue was bought and I was so distraught when they split. I saw them each time they visited the UK and probably saw them well over ten times. My favourite song is ‘Burn your name’ but really I could list their entire catalogue.
There’s my five. That would be quite the album. Must make a playlist.